DANBURY, Conn. - Senior guard Matthew Turner (Trumbull, Conn.) netted a game-high 15 points, while classmate Wes Nelson (Queens, N.Y.) chipped in with 14 to lead the Western Connecticut State University men's basketball squad to a 60-51 victory over UMass-Boston in a Little East Conference matchup on Wednesday night. 

Junior guard Tommy Burris (Dalton, Mass.) paced the visitors with 13 points, while classmate forward Malik Lorquet (Sharon, Mass.) added eight to go along with a game-high four blocked shots. 

The contest was close in the early going until WestConn reeled off a 7-0 run at the end of the first half to take a 32-22 lead at the break. Turner scurried down the lane for a layup to begin the spurt before wrapping it up with a pair of free throws. 

The hosts would tack on to the advantage in the second half, stretching the gap to as much as 19 points with just under six minutes remaining.

The Beacons sliced the deficit to single digits to conclude play. For the game, WestConn forced 24 turnovers while committing just 13 of their own. They also managed to draw a slew of fouls, connecting on 21-of-28 from the stripe, while the visitors managed to go just 10-of-15. 

With the victory, WestConn improved to 10-7 overall and 4-5 in league play, while UMass Boston dropped to 8-9 and 4-5. 

WCSU was originally scheduled to return to action on the road at Southern Maine on Saturday. However, the game could be moved up to Friday due to the impending snow forecast.